it is not right to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not right to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a moral or ethical judgment about an action or behavior. Example: "It is not right to take credit for someone else's work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, based on his study, he says that "it is not right to blame the credit crisis" on C.E.O.

The New York Times

"I believe that establishing a link between pending bilateral issues to a humanitarian solution in the case of Mr. Gross is a mistake," he said, later adding, "it is not right to merge this with political issues or add it to the bilateral agenda, which is quite hefty already".

The New York Times

The bishops of Caracas expressed respect for the affection many Venezuelans had for Chavez, but said in a statement that "'Our Father' forms part of the sacred heritage of the Catholic Church and of all the Christian churches in the entire world," and that "it is not right to modify it, manipulate it, use it as a tool.

Vice

It's perfectly possible to tell Hollywood that it is not right to look after its own in that case without saying that you hope people die in fires or have their eyes gouged out with forks.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is not right to achieve this by putting more children on the breadline".

Independent

"It is not right to put the Shia in conflict with the Syrian people," he says.

The Economist

"It is not right to make radical changes," says Mr. Elbaz.

The New York Times

It comes from a feeling, often subconscious, that it is not right to express ourselves sexually.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is not right to close the eyes and take the money.

The Guardian - Business

But for me it is not right to talk about one player.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is not right to have such large constituencies in the north of Scotland.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not right to", ensure that the context clearly defines the violated standard or principle for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not right to" for personal preferences or subjective opinions. Reserve it for situations involving genuine ethical or moral concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not right to" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a judgment about the morality or appropriateness of an action. It's used to express disapproval or to state that something is ethically or morally wrong. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples of usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not right to" is a common and versatile expression used to convey moral or ethical disapproval. As Ludwig shows, it appears frequently in news and media, indicating its relevance in public discourse. While grammatically correct, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality. For more nuanced expressions, alternatives like "it is wrong to" or "it is inappropriate to" may be more fitting. Remember, clarity and precision are key when expressing ethical judgments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is wrong to

Direct synonym replacing "right" with "wrong" for straightforward disapproval.

it is not acceptable to

Similar to "unacceptable" but phrased differently for emphasis.

it is inappropriate to

Indicates a lack of suitability or decorum in a given situation.

it is not appropriate to

Equivalent to "inappropriate", but uses a negative construction.

it is unethical to

Focuses specifically on moral or ethical violations.

it is not ethical to

Mirrors "it is unethical to", providing a slight variation in wording.

it is unjust to

Emphasizes the unfairness or inequity of an action.

it is not fair to

Highlights the lack of fairness in a particular situation or action.

it is unacceptable to

Highlights that something does not meet required standards or expectations.

it is improper to

Suggests a deviation from established rules or norms of behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not right to" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not right to" to express disapproval or a moral judgment about an action. For example, "It is not right to take credit for someone else's work."

What are some alternatives to "it is not right to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is wrong to", "it is inappropriate to", or "it is unethical to" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "it is not right to" and "it is wrong to"?

While both phrases express disapproval, "it is wrong to" typically implies a more direct violation of a moral code, while "it is not right to" can also suggest a breach of etiquette or fairness. They are often interchangeable but may carry slightly different connotations depending on the context.

When is it more appropriate to use "it is inappropriate to" instead of "it is not right to"?

"It is inappropriate to" is best used when referring to actions that violate social norms or expectations, whereas "it is not right to" is better suited for expressing moral or ethical objections. For example, "It is inappropriate to wear casual clothing to a formal event," versus "It is not right to lie to your friends."